Collapsed ceilings, unsealed bathtubs and hanging light fixtures some of the problems at private student residence

Tommy Anello, standing in front of Parkside Student Residence building | Photo: Emeka Ibeh / The Dialog

Delayed renovations at the Parkside Residence on 111 Carlton Street left students in a state of confusion for nearly a month. As international and Canadian students began arriving in Toronto for the start of classes, quite a number of them found out that their apartments were not ready.

Located steps away from Ryerson University, the Parkside Student Residence is in the heart of downtown Toronto. However, the transition for students was not an easy one.

Tommy Anello a third year student in George Brown College’s financial services program said there was an original move in date for Aug. 18. Since then, delays continued as students were given four subsequent move-in dates, with Sept. 17 being the final date.

“Some rooms were not even finished when I attempted to move in,” said Anello “They just got occupancy permits for floors four through 12, floors 14 to 17 as well and 18 to 21. However, they did not explain why there was a delay in getting the occupancy permits, there is a possibility of fire code violations and also the building just wasn’t finished.”

A photo of a ceiling in a student’s bathroom that had collapsed was posted on the Parkside Residents Facebook group.

The frustrations held by Anello are mutually shared with other students currently living at Parkside as well. The disgruntled students currently have a group on Facebook called Parkside Residence 2015, where they have posted images of the construction debacle they are living in. Photos posted by members include images a collapsed bathroom ceiling, a light fixture hanging from the ceiling and an unsealed bathtub.

Anello ended up having to stay at Primrose-Best Western, a hotel at the same location as the Parkside Residence building, while the renovations were completed by the developer Knightstone Capital Management. He explained that the renovations began in February on floors 10, 11 and 12. They also had to move people that were on those floors either to higher or lower floors in Primrose to continue with renovations.

The Parkside residence recently informed him that he could move in a month after his original move-in date. This is the first time he has been contacted since Labour Day, and it was only done via e-mail.

“I have called Parkside on three occasions and no one has responded to my calls,” recounted Anello.

A light hangs from the ceiling at in this photo posted to the Parkside Residents Facebook group.

George Brown has a partnership with Ontario Student Housing, a website for students and landlords, which lists units at Parkside. Andrea Lewis Alexander, the student life coordinator for GBC, says the college has no control over what happens at the residence because Parkside Residence is an independent property.

“I can understand that with the way the city works, and with such a tight deadline, unfortunately this had to happen to the students,” said Alexander. “We are sorry that they are going through this unfortunate mishap in trying to move into their residence, because I know it does affect their studies, but we have never had this experience before with any residence accommodation. Usually everything runs smoothly.”

Anello, however, said the school should have known the progress of the construction and the conflicts that were surrounding the move-in dates for their own students.

Michael Ching’anda, general manager of the Parkside Student Residence did not respond to calls and emails from The Dialog for an interview.